By Trendsetter Tribune 
A California man, Derrick Callella, was arrested on Thursday, February 5, 2026, for allegedly sending a fake ransom demand to the family of Nancy Guthrie, the missing 84-year-old mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie.
Authorities say Callella attempted to exploit the high-profile kidnapping by demanding Bitcoin for the return of the elderly woman, despite having no connection to her disappearance.
The “Impostor” Scheme
Callella, 39, was taken into custody in Hawthorne, California, and faces federal charges for sending a ransom demand and making harassing phone calls.
- The Message: Callella allegedly used a VOIP (Voice-over-Internet-Protocol) app to text Nancy’s daughter, Annie Guthrie, and her son-in-law, Tommaso Cioni, asking, “Did you get the bitcoin were [sic] waiting on our end for the transaction.”
- The Call: Three minutes after the text, Callella reportedly called a family member for nine seconds.
- The Admission: Investigators say Callella later admitted he was simply trying to “see if the family would respond.”
- Prior History: Callella was already on law enforcement’s radar; in October 2025, he was identified as one of several county employees accused of stealing over $430,000 in state unemployment benefits.
Update on Nancy Guthrie’s Disappearance
As of Friday morning, February 6, 2026, Nancy Guthrie remains missing. While Callella’s message was a hoax, the FBI is investigating at least two other ransom notes sent to media outlets (KOLD-TV and TMZ) that they are treating as “credible” or serious.
| Date | Time | Event |
| Jan 31 | 9:50 PM | Nancy is dropped off at her Tucson home by family. |
| Feb 1 | 1:47 AM | Her doorbell camera is disconnected. |
| Feb 1 | 2:28 AM | Her pacemaker app disconnects from her phone (likely abduction time). |
| Feb 5 | — | FBI confirms blood found on the porch belongs to Nancy Guthrie. |
| Feb 5 | — | Derrick Callella is arrested for the hoax ransom demand. |
A Race Against Time
The search has entered its sixth day with no “proof of life” established. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos and the FBI have intensified the search, offering a $50,000 reward.
- Medical Urgency: Nancy has limited mobility and requires vital daily medication for heart issues. Sheriff Nanos warned that being without her meds for this long could be fatal.
- Family Plea: Savannah Guthrie released a heart-wrenching video on February 5, saying, “We are ready to talk… We need to know without a doubt that she is alive.”
- Suspect Status: No official suspects or “persons of interest” have been named, though investigators have been seen processing the home of Savannah’s sister, Annie, as a standard part of the deep-dive into the family’s circle.
NEW: Photo of L.A. man arrested for sending texts to Guthrie family asking for bitcoin, according to Feds. Derrick Callella. pic.twitter.com/rL8mq0kNyD
— Matt Finn (@MattFinnFNC) February 6, 2026